New Berlin EMS Robert Starr, NY Assemblyman Joe Angelino, New Berlin Mayor Peter Lennon, and EMS Dale Barton talked about the importance of EMS in the community in 2024. Angelino sponsored a bi-partisan bill to address EMS funding in rural areas that was passed with near unanimous support by legislators but recently vetoed by Governor Kathy Hochul. (Submitted photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY – A bill that passed the New York State Assembly with near unanimous support was vetoed last week by Governor Kathy Hochul.

The bill, introduced by State Assembly Representative Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell) and co-sponsored by Rep. Joe Angelino (R-Norwich), was intended to address funding issues for emergency medical services by removing those expenditures from the limit on real property tax levies by local governments.

"It's unfortunate the Rescue EMS bill wasn't signed into law. The legislation was bipartisan, and received  near unanimous approval in the Assembly with only one no vote out of 150. Our EMS system, especially in rural areas, is struggling to remain effective. I'm interested  in seeing what the Governor proposes in her budget, if anything, to assist our medical first responders," Angelino said.

The state of rural EMS services has been a concern throughout the state. Angelino explained that the population of Upstate New York is aging, which increases the need for health care and EMS services. At the same time, fewer young people are becoming involved in the EMS system.

The Rescue EMS legislative package included multiples bills. The second bill would make EMS an essential service that municipalities must provide. Currently, while fire service is deemed essential, EMS is not. “If that bill passes making EMS essential, the issue is how do we pay for it,” Angelino explained.

Local officials had mixed reactions to the news of the bill’s veto. New Berlin Mayor Pete Lennon focused on part of the legislation that would require more coordinated planning across counties and regions. “I am an advocate for as many layers of EMS as you can get,” he said. “We have got to have multiple layers of responsibility. It’s a matter of being able to provide the service,” he said.


Lennon said local municipalities need to be able to think together to determine what can be carried out independently and what can be done collectively.

The Town of Columbus does not have their own fire or EMS service, instead contracting out with other municipalities for both. Supervisor Diane Scalzo said since EMS is not yet recognized as an essential service, any municipality can opt out and say they cannot afford to provide it. “No one would say we don’t need it, but they do say we can’t afford it. The most critical issue is funding.”

While local officials don’t all agree on one solution, they all seem to agree that something must be done. “If the state recognizes EMS as an essential service, it would require all municipalities to either stand up their own service or contract with others. The state would need to help,” Scalzo said. She explained that the issues impacting our rural EMS services are not due to a lack of effort. “This is strictly a matter of dollars and cents.”

Scalzo said she believes consolidation and combined services could be one avenue to pursue. “We could avoid expensive duplicative services,” Scalzo said. “I’m tired of talking about the problems. It’s time to talk about the solutions.”